Did It Hurt

Writers: Avery, Miriah, Suzee
Date Posted: 1st October 2015

Characters: Karhal, Loella, Talwynn
Description: A revelation and a misunderstanding occurs.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 2, day 14 of Turn 8

Karhal

Loella

Maybe it was the baby in her arms or maybe it was her security in her
marriage and her place in life. But Loella didn't see the dragon, not
until it was too late to run as she usually would have.

She stopped and just stared at the green.

If she had been paying attention she would have heard her long before
she'd walked into the square but the murmur of peoples voices had been
as loud or louder than the voice in her head.

"Uh, hello," she said startled to immobility next to the green. Her
eyes were wide as she saw the scars and they welled up in sympathy as
she reached out. "Did that hurt very much?"

The sight of the green dragon didn't phase Karhal, not at first.
Greens came often to the Hold for Searching. Hoever, before he could
turn to ask a fellow guard to notify the Lord Holder, he did a double
take when he realized that the woman before the green was none other
than his wife. Fear and worry flashed in his expression before it was
locked down into cool professionalism, but he wasted no time in
striding across the square, long legs eating up the distance.

Coming up behind his wife and then smoothly stepping forward to block
the greenrider from looking at her, the Captain greeted the
greenrider. "Fair skies, greenrider. We were not expecting a visit
today. Are you bearing news from the Weyr?"

Talwynn appreciated the chance to leave the Weyr and drop in on Amber
Hills again. The marks she was earning on this run didn't hurt either.
At this rate she'd be able to afford those custom gloves from the
Weavers in no time. Riveth liked seeing the new sights as well. The
green normally took off once she was off, but today she lingered.
}:The sun is nice and the people are interesting,:{ she said.

**You can't even search them,** the greenrider thought, knowing Riveth
had never displayed the signs.

While she was distracted by the mental conversation, a man came up to
her, and she looked up and shifted her attention to him.

"I have a few letters and packages to deliver, and one order to pick
up," Talwynn said, shifting her body weight so the satchel slung along
her side moved into a more prominent position.

Loella gulped and pulled back her hand. **Maybe she doesn't hear me,**
that gave her a little bit of comfort. If the green didn't hear her or
notice her fear then maybe she could just walk away and no one would
notice. She shifted slightly closer to Karhal who had come to her
rescue like in the Harper stories. But the movement simply revealed
more of the dragon's injuries and Loella's hand covered her mouth.
**How did you survive that,** she thought to herself.

Karhal's hand went out, still keeping Loella behind him. He knew how
stressed she would be around a dragon, especially keeping her ability
secret. He only hoped he could get this rider out of the Hold before the
situation became too much for her. "I'll take the missives and the packages.
Who are you to be picking up from? I can direct you and your dragon to the
proper Hold area. *And away from my wife.*

}:I do not remember it,:{ Riveth said gently to the strange person who
felt such strong feelings about her scars.

Wow, he was rude, thought Talwynn. Still, it would get her out of here
faster. "Here you go," she said, reaching into the bag with her good hand
to handle over the first set. "These are all for the Hold."

Maybe it was the gentle tone of the dragon even if the answer
surprised her that led her to respond. **You don't?** That seemed
strange to her. **But I hear them all the time when they fight thread.
It scares me. You scare me. I'm sorry...** she apologized when she
realized what she'd said.

}:It was very long ago. I do not remember flying Thread. They don't
let me anymore. I do not like that. Dragons are for flying Thread, but
if I do not, what do I do?:{ Riveth said to the woman. She sounded a
little lost.

Loella didn't have any answer for that question and she blinked
rapidly. **I don't know,** Of course the baby chose that moment to
wake up with a loud squall. But one thing she'd learned was that
talking to a dragon was far different than hearing them fight in the
sky. Riveth's mind voice was mellow and sweet and felt very friendly.
Not at all the scary creature she'd imagined before. She bounced the
little bundle and put her hand on Karhal. "I'm alright," she said and
stepped closer.

}:Have you always heard us?:{ Riveth asked the person.

The crying baby alerted Talwynn to the woman who was by the man who'd
taken the packages. "Ah, hello there. Did either of you want me to
carry anything somewhere?"

**I don't remember it much when I was little,** she started staring
into the big eyes of the green an ignoring everything else around her.
**But with Thread came, I could hear them screaming then nothing... it
scares me and makes me sad.**

Her attention was diverted to the rider suddenly and she realized the
woman talking to her also had scars. "Oh my," she said softly and her
fingers rose to her mouth. Her eyes were big and round and she shook
her head. "N-n-n-o," she said. "I'm...." she looked helplessly at
Karhal, "I'm sorry," she said and turned on her heel to walk quickly
away in the direction of their home. **Goodby Riveth**

Karhal had relaxed at Loella's reassurance and his body posture had
eased somewhat. But ever watchful and protective of his wife, when she
started to react with what he was as upset, he stiffened again. He
knew that it really wasn't the rider's fault, but he just wanted them
to go away, if only to ease his wife's sensibilities. But he also
still had to do his job. For a moment, he was torn. **Shaffit!**

He drew himself up with the packages and cleared his throat. "The
steward in within the main hall, rider. I'm sure he'll have deliveries
for you." He waved at a staring drudge and handed him the packages
with directions to get them to the Headwoman. He looked back over his
shoulder, resisting the urge to chase after Loella and soothe her. He
had duties and the best he could do would be to comfort her this
evening. "I'll will take you to him. I am Karhal, Guard Captain."

Riveth didn't understand anything that was wrong. She just knew that
the person who spoke to her was leaving, and that she seemed upset.
}:Goodbye,:{ the green called cheerfully after her.

Talwynn suspected the woman was upset by something, but she didn't
know the real reason. Her eyes narrowed as she watched her scurry off.
What had happened? "Good to meet you, Captain Karhal," she said
nicely. "I would appreciate the escort."

She wasn't sure what was going on, but she was curious. Maybe it was
because Search was treated like child-stealing by some Holders who
didn't know any better? "The baby is too small to be Searched yet. We
only take children who've apprentice age or better, and Riveth isn't a
Search green anyway."

Karhal blinked at her and slowly arched a brow. "We know the Search
age, Greenrider. " He responded respecfully, but still without humor.
" I don't believe my wife even considered that. She has...other things
on her mind." In more than one way. "But I appreciate your concern. If
you'll follow me?"

Talwynn nodded and followed along. "I just didn't mean to cause upset,
I'm sorry. We'll pick up the packages and be out of the way."

"No need to apologize. You're simply doing your duty." Unseen on his
face, worry gnawed at him. He led her to the main hall and gave her
directions to the steward's office. "Fair skies, rider."

Last updated on the October 12th 2015

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Did It Hurt